Sprewell Makes Appeal For His `Side Of Story'

December 10, 1997|By Teddy Greenstein, Tribune Staff Writer.

With a half-dozen former teammates behind him, literally and figuratively, Latrell Sprewell broke his silence Tuesday, criticizing the National Basketball Association for punishing him without hearing "my side of the story."

Sprewell could have told his side Tuesday in front of dozens of cameras and microphones, but the outcast Golden State guard took a pass.

Sprewell publicly apologized for the first time, but he declined to take questions or explain what prompted him to attack his former coach, P.J. Carlesimo, during a Warrior practice on Dec. 1.

"I wish I could answer questions and be open to you guys, but it means so much to me to get back on the court, I don't want to jeopardize things," Sprewell said. "The guys behind me, they know what really happened. They understand my position."

Sprewell said his team of advisers--which includes attorney Johnnie Cochran Jr. of O.J. Simpson fame and agent Arn Tellem, who also represents Albert Belle--advised him not to comment on specifics, pending grievances filed by the NBA players' union.

The Golden State Warriors terminated Sprewell's four-year, $32 million contract last Wednesday. The next day, NBA Commissioner David Stern suspended Sprewell for one year, the longest penalty for a non-drug offense in league history. The appeal will be heard no sooner than Jan. 4 by arbitrator John Feerick, dean of the Fordham University Law School.

Witnesses said Sprewell, a three-time NBA All-Star, grabbed Carlesimo by the throat and threatened to kill him. Sprewell apologized to his fans last week but didn't call Carlesimo until Sunday.

In apologizing Tuesday, Sprewell admitted his conduct was "not appropriate," but he took issue with the way he has been treated by the media.

"A lot of it has been one-sided," he said. "I've been vilified. Every time I look at a clip, it's always a picture of me looking mad and being aggressive. I never see a picture of myself with a smile on my face. That's unfair."

Sprewell spoke for about 10 minutes and was composed, almost solemn. He referred to his notes infrequently, which added to the sincerity of his words.

"I am a good person and I've never had any situation like this come up before," the 27-year-old Sprewell said. "I feel 10 years of hard work shouldn't be taken away for one mistake."

Sprewell's memory was at the very least selective. Two years ago he become so angered after an altercation with teammate Jerome Kersey during practice that Sprewell left and returned to the gym with a two-by-four. He eventually was restrained by teammates.

"I need to do a better job of controlling my temper," Sprewell said Tuesday.

Billy Hunter, executive director of the NBA Players Association, attended the news conference, which was held at the Oakland Convention Center, where the Warriors practice. It began less than an hour after a team workout, which allowed several of Sprewell's former teammates to attend.

On hand were Joe Smith, Muggsy Bogues, Bimbo Coles, Felton Spencer and David Vaughn of the Warriors and Robert Horry, a Los Angeles Laker who played with Sprewell at Alabama.

Hunter said Sprewell's punishment was too severe and that it amounted to a two-year ban because NBA teams cannot sign Sprewell until next December, long after most rosters are set and salary-cap money dispersed.

"In 1994, Alvin Robertson assaulted Billy McKinney, who was the general manager at Detroit," Hunter said. "Nothing happened. I don't want to see Latrell get washed away."

Cochran, hired by Tellem as an adviser, said that the NBA acted unfairly by not allowing Sprewell to give his defense.

"Nobody bothered to listen to his side," Cochran said. "That's not the American way."

The NBA released a statement saying it interviewed 23 people before its ruling, one of whom was Sprewell, who reportedly hung up on Horace Balmer, the NBA's vice president of security.

"Let me clear that up," Hunter said. "Latrell spoke Monday with Mr. Balmer. When it became rather accusatory, he said he'd rather postpone it until he had a chance to confer with the union."

The NBA said that Sprewell never requested a meeting with the league before his suspension.

Sprewell's advisers downplayed questions about race. Tellem had suggested Sunday that the issue be examined. Sprewell is black; Carlesimo is white.

On Tuesday, Tellem questioned the power of coaches.

"No one condones what Latrell did," Tellem said. "But are there any limits on what coaches can do? That has to be addressed."